Abdul Ghafur Brechna (1907–1974)

Abdul Ghafur Brechna (also written as Breshna) stood as a pivotal figure in Afghan artistry. His diverse contributions as a painter, composer, stage director, and poet played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of Afghanistan.
Sent to Germany by King Amanullah in 1921 at the age of fourteen, Brechna pursued studies in painting at the Academies of Fine Arts in Berlin and Munich. In Leipzig and Barmen, he delved into lithography and printing.
Returning to Kabul in 1929, Brechna served as the Director of the Kabul School of Arts from 1930 to 1939. During this tenure, he ushered in a new era of art in Afghanistan, introducing innovative painting and drawing techniques and incorporating life models into artistic practice. His work garnered international recognition, with exhibitions held from New York to Beijing.
As the Managing Director of Afghanistan's state-owned printing and publishing house from 1939 to 1943, Brechna pioneered color printing in the country's newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks. Leading Radio Afghanistan from 1943 to 1953, he championed women's civil rights and their active participation in public life.
Notably, Brechna composed Afghanistan's former national anthem in 1973, and his musical compositions continue to resonate with Afghan, Indian, and Persian audiences. In 1968, he was honored with Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon for his role in stabilizing cultural relations between Germany and Afghanistan.
Married to Marguerite Neufeind–Brechna (1907–1994), Brechna had two sons: Abdul-Habib Brechna (1926–2012) and Abdullah Breshna (1933-2021).